Electrically controlled clock



Feb. 6, 1934, c. BATTEGAY 1,945,939

ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED CLOCK Filed Feb. 28, 1931. 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Comsibwt Baltegay Feb. 6, 1934. c. BATTEGAY ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED CLOCK Filed Feb. 28, 1931 2 Shouts-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED CLOCK ration of France Application February 28, 1931, Serial No. 519,113, and in France March 6, 1930 4 Claims.

My invention relates to electrically controlled clock systems to be used chiefly in cities and, among other objects, aims to provide an improved electrical system wherein a master clock is used 5 to set and hold in synchronism a number of secondary clocks, using a single circuit between clock stations. Furthermore, the invention contemplates an indicator adjacent to each secondary clock to show whether it or the setting system is functioning properly with reference to the master clock. Also, the invention provides electrical signalling means whereby an attendant may inform himself of the exact setting of the master clock and either check the automatic setting of a secondary clock or reset it manually.

Other aims and advantages will appear in the specification when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the method of connecting the mechanism of a clock system embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an indicator-relay used in conjunction with the clock-setting mechanism of each secondary clock station;

In accordance with my invention, the master clock of the system contains all switches and contacts which, when associated with their necessary relays, oscillator, condensers and batteries, are enabled automatically to hold in synchronism by condenser charging and discharging currents and, also to set a plurality of dependent or secondary clocks one at a time. The master clock may itself be a secondary clock of some master system electrically set by mechanism like that shown in U. S. Patent 1,435,868, Nov. 14, 1922 (French Patent 546,539 August 25, 1922).

The synchronization of each secondary clock with the master clock is accomplished by imparting an impulse to the pendulum of a secondary clock each time the pendulum passes through the lowest portion of its swing. These impulses may be imposed upon the pendulum by electro-magnetic means such as that disclosed in U. S. Patent 1,553,787, dated September 15, 1925 (French Patent 556,156 April 9, 1923). This apparatus, when operated through the charging and the discharging at suitable intervals of a condenser in series, afiects the amplitude and period of the pendulum swing and thereby maintains the secondary clock in synchronism with the master clock.

For setting each secondary clock the synchronizing impulses from the master clock are automatically interrupted. A current of reversed polarity to that of the synchronizing impulses operates a polarized relay having a visible indicator,

which allows current to flow through the setting mechanism of the secondary clock. The setting mechanism may be like that described in the aforesaid Patent No. 1,435,868.

Referring to Fig. 1, the circuit between all 60 clocks consists of two wires 1 and 2. These may be ordinary telephone cables, as the current required for the operation of this system is very small. To this single circuit are connected the various control devices of the system. Diagrams A, B, C and D, at the lower portion of the figure represent parts associated with a secondary clock installation, all operated and controlled from the master clock by connection with the system wires 1 and 2. Diagram A outlines the synchronizing mechanism of a secondary clock and is shown as comprising an electro-magnet 3 acting on a pendulum .4, at the midpoint or lower portion'of its swing. This coil is connected in series with a condenser 5 which, at the moments of charging and II discharging causes currents to flow through said electro-magnet 3 in such a manner as to produce either an impetus or braking action on the pendulum, first, in one direction, and then, in the other. Condenser 5 is charged during synchronizing intervals through wires 1, and 2, through normally closed contacts fi and '7 of a relay F located at the master clock station, and through contact 8 of a clock switch 9 in the master clock E, said contact being in series with a battery 10 located near the master clock. When contact 8 is opened by the master clock, battery 10 is disconnected from the circuit and another contact 11 of the same switch is immediately closed. Condenser 5 then discharges through electro-magnet 3, lines 1 and 2, contacts 6, 7 and 11 and resistance 12. In series with line 1 is incidentally shown the operating electro-magnet 13 of an overload relay which attracts its armature 14 to its normally open contact 15 upon the passage of an extraordinarily large current, thus, closing the isolated circuit through battery 10 and alarm 16 which will warn an attendant, should the system wires become shortcircuited. This relay, however, is inoperative bythe currents which normally flow over the circuit.

In Figure 1, SS1-S2-S3-S4-S5 indicate springs to show the normal position of the cooperating contacts.

The synchronizing circuit is in continuous operation except during short intervals when each secondary clock of the system is set and the setting circuit is tested. The congestion of the system is assumed as being such that clock-setting intervals of 10 minutes are suflicient. The synchronizing circuit is then interrupted for, say, about 10 seconds by the action of a switch 17 operated by the master clock. Switch 17 closes an auiliary circuit through battery 10* and relay electro-magnets 18 and 19 which attract; their armatures 20 and 21 and close a circuit through the normally open contacts 22 and 23. Switch 17 also closes for a fraction of a minute, say, 5 minutes after each clock is set to test out the circuit.

Within a few seconds before or after the master clock switch 17 is closed, a secondary clock-operated switch 24 shown in the illustrated clock-setting mechanism B, is closed, and prepares the secondary clock for the reception of and adjustment by the clock setting signals. The switch 24 closes an auxiliary circuit through itself, a battery 10 and an indicating relay C which causes a relay indicator 41 to show red (Fig. 2). A switch 25 in the master clock closes 1 or 2 seconds every 5 minutes, operating simultaneously with the switch 17 and connects a battery 10 through contacts 22 and 23 to wires 1 and 2. Battery 10 having its polarity opposed to that of battery 10 operates a polarized part of the indicator relay C shown in detail in Fig. 2, which closes the circuit to a solenoid 26, which may correspond to the solenoid 16 shown in the aforesaid U. S. Patent No. 1,435,868. At the same time that the circuit to solenoid 26 is completed through the indicator relay, a visible signal 41 shows white, (Fig. 2). thus indicating that its secondary clock has been set properly by the master clock.

When clock switch 25 closes, the potential of battery 10 is impressed upon the terminals of a relay-operating coil 27, which attracts its armature 28 to its normally open contact 29, thus closing a circuit to fault-finding relay armature 30, whose operating coil 31 is in series with lines 1 and 2 when the clocks of the system are being set. Except during the flow of the setting current, armature 30 rests against a normally closed contact 32. However, each time a secondary clock is set current flows through coil 31 and attracts armature 30 to a normally open contact 33, completing an auxiliary circuit through a recording device 34, thence, through battery 10. When current flows through the recording device 34 it may merely make a dot on a continuously moving chart to record thereon the passage of current at that instant. Master clock-operated switch 35, the moving contact of which operates in synchronism with those of switches 17 and 25, closes auxiliary circuits through either of its contacts 36 or 37. It will be recalled that setting intervals of 10 minutes have been selected. Switch 35 will.

therefore remain in contact with 36 for 5 minutes and, then, with 3'? for 5 minutes.

Associated with the master clock is a circuit including an alarm device 38 and local battery 10'. This alarm device is so connected as to warn an attendant when no current flows through wires 1 and 2 and series relay coil 31 at the instant when clock switch 25 closes the setting circuit. A stopped clock or broken wires would therefore be detected immediately. If, for some reason, a circuit over 1 and 2 is completed when no clock is to be set, relay 27 closes the alarm circuit through contact 37, thereby warning the attendant of this condition. The recording device enableshim to determine which secondary clock requires his attention.

In order to set any secondary clock by hand, a system for sending and receiving so-called time signals is provided. Manual setting has to be used when a clock is replaced or a new clock connected. A master clock switch 39 closes periodically, for example, on the minute, and for an instant only, thereby closing an auxiliary circuit through a battery 10' and a vibrating or buzzing device 40. The vibrator may consist of an interrupter operating at fairly high but audible frequencies in series with the primary of a transformer T, the secondary of which is connected to wires 1 and 2 through a condenser 5 These impulses are superimposed on the normal currents flowing through the system wires 1 and 2 and are audible at a listening post or station D provided near each secondary clock and having a condenser 5 in series with an ordinary telephone receiver R.

Fig. 2 shows in detail the indicating polarized relay diagrammatically shown at C in Fig. 1. By means of this relay it is also possible to set the adjacent secondary clock through a local circuit as shown in Fig. 1. The signal 41, which may be half red and half white, is secured to a lever 42 pivoted at 43 and is adapted to rock between limits as deilned by stops 44 and 45. A pin 46 inserted in lever 42 is engaged by either of two catches or pivoted operating links 47 and 48 actuated by one of the two polarized electromagnets 49 and 50, the armatures of which are normally urged into the positions shown by tension springs 51 and 52. The catch 47 is shown as having a cam edge 53 bearing on pin 54 which causes the end of the catch to be disengaged from pin 46 as the catch is urged to the left. Catch 48 has no cam edge because the pin 55 guides it to provide continuous engagement with pin 46 as the catch moves to the right. Magnet armatures 49 and 50 may close either or both of contacts 56 and 57 over a grounded part of the relay. When the secondary clock-operated switch 24 closes, current flows through battery 10, coil of armature 50 and switch 24, since the positive terminal of the battery is grounded to the frame of the relay. The catch 47 moves to the left against its stop 44. The red part of the signal then becomes visible through a suitable aperture (not shown). As catch 47 travels to the left, its end is raised by cam 53 out of engagement with pin 46. A clock setting current coming from the master clock can then go through the frame of the relay, contact 56 and armature 49.

Armature 49, which is polarized to operate only on a current of the polarity supplied by battery 10 moves its catch 48 to the right against pin 46, thereby moving signal 41 to the right and against stop 45, exposing the white part of the signal through the aperture. When armature 49 has moved its catch 48 to the right, another contact 57 is closed, thus completing a local circuit through clock-setting control solenoid 26, which causes the hands of the secondary clock to assume positions identical with those of the master clock. Should the clock not be set the signal 41 remains in its red position, thus, warning any observer that the clock is not correct.

relative intensities of the setting and synchronizing currents. When the system starts functioning as described, a single attendant can keep a number of secondary clocks in proper working condition and can check up the entire system from the master clock station.

Obviously, the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly, since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and subcombinations.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electrically controlled clock system comprising a master clock and a series of secondary clocks a single circuit connecting the clocks; automatic synchronizing means for the secondary clocks operated by the master clock; clock setting mechanism also connected in the circuit to be operated by the master clock; and automatic means operable by the master clock to periodically interrupt the circuit to the synchronizing means while the clock setting means is function- 2. In an electrically controlled system comprising a master clock and a series of secondary clocks, a single circuit connecting the clocks; synchronizing means for each of the secondary clocks connected in the circuit, said synchronizing means including a condenser and a master clock-operated switch arranged periodically to charge and discharge the condenser; master clock-operated means for periodically interrupting said condenser charge and discharge and establishing a setting circuit; automatic setting means comprising a master clock-operated switch in said setting circut which transmits setting impulses at predetermined intervals, and mechanism for setting said secondary clocks in response to said setting impulses.

3. In an electrically controlled clock system comprising a master clock and a series of secondary clocks, a single circuit connecting the clocks; automatic synchronizing means for the secondary clocks operated by the master clock; clock settingmeans also connected in the'circuit to be operated by the master clock; means operable by the master clock to periodically interrupt the circuit to the synchronizing means while the clock setting means is functioning; and a visible indicator associated with the clock setting means of each secondary clock to signal that the setting circuit has or has not operated.

4. In an electrically controlled clock system comprising a master clock and a series of secondary clocks, a single circuit connecting the clocks; automatic synchronizing means for the secondary clocks operated by the master clock; clock setting means also connected in the circuit to be operated by the master clock, means operable by the master clock to periodically interrupt the circuit to the synchronizing means while the clock setting means is functioning; and a visible indicator associated with the clock setting means of each secondary clock to signal that the setting circuit has or has not operated, said indicator including a pivoted signal member, a pair of polarized electro-magnets having armatures connected to move the signal member in opposite directions to two signal displaying positions; a local source of current connected to one of the electro-magnets, means to close the circuit automatically when the clock setting circuit is closed by said master clock; a contact operated automatically by the armature of the connected electro-magnet to close the local circuit through the other electro-magnet and thereby permit the setting current to flow to the clock setting mechanism.

CONSTANT BA'I'I'EGAY. 

